Smallholder sugarcane producers have contributed about 204,000 tonnes of cane to Illovo Malawi's total production for the year ending March 2007. This figure is 13,000 tonnes higher than 2006 production, a development the company attributes to good growing conditions and prudent crop management.
Extracts from their audited financial accounts indicate that total cane tonnage for the year was at about 2.2 million, up from 2.1 million last season. "Cane and sugar production exceeded last year's records, with cane production at Nchalo 10 per cent higher than the previous year," reads part of the report.
The company says its sugar export revenue was boosted with an additional European Union quota allocation, following a supply shortfall from other key sugar producers. "EU export prices also improved due to favourable movements of the Euro exchange rate, whilst regional export prices reflected a significant improvement in US dollar terms," the statement reads.
The company says it has invested about K1 billion ($7 million) to replace some of its fixed assets adding that it expects to boost cane production in excess of 2.2 million tonnes. "Production in excess of domestic market requirements will continue to be allocated for export markets," the company says.
Daily Times
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May 01, 2007
Malawi sugar cane production up
Categories exports, Malawi, productivity, sugar cane
